Democratic governors meeting Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles elected Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley to lead their organization for a second term, keeping him at the helm of the Democratic Governors Association for the busy 2012 election year. In a news release, O'Malley called 2011 a "banner year" for the DGA and said next year he hopes to build on the group's "strong foundation. " O'Malley has led the group since last December, raising a "record breaking" $11 million for the organization in the first six months of the year while using the position to build a national profile with frequent appearances on Sunday morning talk shows.

Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown remains the heavy favorite to win the Democratic gubernatorial primary because the only thing that could have hurt him — his role as O'Malley administration "point man" for Obamacare in Maryland — won't hurt him. And it won't hurt him for a simple reason: the math. Not enough Democratic voters were "inconvenienced" (and, therefore, outraged) by last year's health exchange problems. Most Marylanders already had insurance; they didn't have to go anywhere near the state's glitch-riddled online marketplace.

WASHINGTON -- The White House, caught off guard by attacks on President Bush's economic package, found itself on the defensive as the president was confronted by visiting Democratic governors who spurned his request that they rally behind his plan.The unexpected face-to-face ambush yesterday and a less-than-enthusiastic public response to the proposal added a new worrying note to the calculations of Bush advisers who had hoped that the unveiling of the long-awaited package would spark a rebound in the president's political fortunes.

With the front-runner in the race conspicuously absent, Democratic gubernatorial candidates Douglas F. Gansler and Heather R. Mizeur disagreed - politely - during a debate Tuesday night, with Gansler saving the brunt of his criticism for the missing Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown. The debate at the WBFF (Fox 45) studios was unusual not only because Brown did not participate, but because the station chose to highlight his absence by displaying a lectern with his name posted prominently in front.

By Karen Hosler and Karen Hosler,Washington Bureau of The Sun | February 4, 1992

WASHINGTON -- Several Democratic governors provoked President Bush into an angry exchange yesterday by unleashing a surprise attack on his economic growth proposals during a White House meeting at which he sought their help in lobbying the plan through Congress.In the latest sign of a White House promotional campaign gone awry, Mr. Bush was suddenly confronted on his home turf with charges that his plan was full of gimmicks and would add to the nation's "sewer of debt." He quickly fired back with a challenge to the governors to put themselves on the record for a tax increase and name what military bases they would close.

WASHINGTON - Gov. Martin O'Malley plans to appear tomorrow at a Barack Obama event designed to portray unity among Democratic governors and to illustrate an economy that party leaders say has weakened during a Republican administration. Obama has invited Democratic governors to Chicago for an "economic discussion." The campaign has not disclosed a full list of attendees, but O'Malley's office confirmed his participation. O'Malley was an early backer of Sen. Hillary Clinton, and he is among a group of Democratic governors who are now pivoting to show support for Obama.

PRINCETON, N.J. -- Presidential candidate Bill Clinton, bolstered by strong endorsements from fellow Democratic governors, responded punch for punch yesterday to a new Republican ad that belittles his record as governor of Arkansas.The yet-to-be-aired ad reportedly declares that Mr. Clinton is "a failed governor from a small state."Mr. Clinton, flanked by 17 Democratic colleagues who assembled here for today's start of the 84th annual meeting of the National Governors' Association, replied: "I think I'm running against a failed president of a big country."

WASHINGTON - The nation's Democratic governors, who fell short in November of achieving a majority of seats in the country, made the most of the situation here the other day in mapping plans for teamwork in the year ahead. With the Republicans still holding a 26-24 edge in governorships, Gov. Gary Locke of Washington, the Democratic Governors' Association chairman, did some quick arithmetic. He announced the Democratic governors will represent 53 percent of the nation's population when the party's new winners in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin are sworn in. By holding a majority of the largest states, he reasoned, "we're now the leaders of this great country," a contention that surely would be challenged by a Republican Party that not only still claims more governors but also the White House and both houses of Congress.

SEATTLE -- The nation's governors called for dramatic changes in America's health care system yesterday but split along party lines over whether to hold Congress and the Bush administration accountable for the reform.In an unusually emotional and partisan conclusion to the four-day National Governors' Association conference here, governors stressed the urgent need for health reform in a nation that pays the most for care while leaving 34 million people uninsured."One thing is clear: There is a sense of urgency here that has been vocalized," said Colorado Gov. Roy Romer, a Democrat, the NGA's new vice chairman.

By Erin Cox and Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun | February 15, 2014

Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown has staked out a sizable lead in the Democratic contest for governor, but the primary race is far from decided as many voters have yet to pick a candidate, according to a new opinion poll for The Baltimore Sun. Bolstered by overwhelming support from African-Americans statewide and voters in his home county of Prince George's, Brown is 21 percentage points ahead of his closest competitor, Maryland Attorney General Douglas...

Given a choice between two conservative Republicans to fill a vacancy in the Upper Eastern Shore's state Senate district, Gov. Martin O'Malley chose the less confrontational legislator. O'Malley said Wednesday that he has appointed Del. Stephen S. Hershey Jr. of Queen Anne's County to replace former Sen. E.J. Pipkin, who resigned and moved to Texas. Passed over was Del. Michael D. Smigiel Sr. of Cecil County. The choice of which Republican would replace Pipkin was left to O'Malley, a Democrat, after the GOP central committees of the four counties that make up the 36th District split between the two lawmakers.

By Michael Dresser and Erin Cox, The Baltimore Sun | September 12, 2013

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a possible Republican presidential candidate in 2016, will ride into the Democratic stronghold of Maryland next week as part of his mission to rustle up business for the Lone Star State. Perry's press office said he will visit Maryland on Wednesday to hold private meetings with companies and possibly host a reception. His Maryland itinerary is still not complete, spokeswoman Lucy Nashed said. The Texas governor's incursion into the territory of Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley, a possible contender for his party's nomination, will follow Perry's launch Thursday of a nearly $500,000 radio and TV advertising campaign bashing Maryland's business climate.

The Democratic Governors Association wants to conduct federal electioneering activity - things like get-out-the vote campaigns and voter identification programs - but it wants to do it with money that isn't subject to federal campaign finance restrictions. The group, which bears the strong stamp of Gov. Martin O'Malley, is attempting to do that by exploiting a loophole in campaign regulations that, even if legal, is stunningly cynical. The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 - better known as the McCain-Feingold act - bars an "association or similar group of candidates for state or local office or individuals holding state or local office" from conducting federal electioneering activity with non-federal funds.

The Democratic Governors Association is seeking a ruling that would allow it to expand its role in federal elections as its chief fundraiser, Gov. Martin O'Malley, is considering a run for president, documents filed with the Federal Election Commission show. In a case that could be decided as early as this month, the Washington-based governors group is seeking to increase its ability to perform voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts in gubernatorial races - and its leadership stresses that it has no intention of engaging in campaigns for Congress or the White House.

Gov. Martin O'Malley picked an Annapolis veteran Thursday to oversee the waning years of his administration, appointing as chief of staff a man who has worked under four governors and earned respect in the environmental community for his candor. Department of Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin will take over for the final 18 months of O'Malley's administration, as the governor decides whether to set his sights on the White House and Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown launches a campaign to succeed O'Malley.

Gov. Martin O'Malley announced Friday that he has hired the press spokesman for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to be his new director of strategic communications. Teddy Davis, who formerly covered politics for ABC News, will join O'Malley's press staff in mid-February, the governor's office announced. Davis becomes the second hire in the governor's communications operation since the departure of longtime aide Rick Abbruzzese late last year. In early January, Stephen Neuman, a former aide to Democratic governors, came on board as public affairs director.

Gov. Martin O'Malley announced Friday that he has hired the press spokesman for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to be his new director of strategic communications. Teddy Davis, who formerly covered politics for ABC News, will join O'Malley's press staff in mid-February, the governor's office announced. Davis becomes the second hire in the governor's communications operation since the departure of longtime aide Rick Abbruzzese late last year. In early January, Stephen Neuman, a former aide to Democratic governors, came on board as public affairs director.